“When one family member is on the cancer journey, the entire family is on the cancer journey.”
– Debbie Fink
This heartfelt and empowering book was created in collaboration with a courageous mother of three, as she navigated her own journey with cancer. Written with evidence-based information, empathy and insight, it is designed to educate and empower children whose parents are undergoing cancer treatment.
The book provides a compassionate, evidence-based guide to help children understand their parent’s journey – while also giving parents the language they need to help explain cancer to their children. A Mom of Many Hats creates a space for young readers to express their feelings, thoughts, questions, and worries. It offers hope – without offering false hope – equipping readers with tools to help process, cope, and grow through one of life’s toughest challenges. The storyline helps readers and families move from fear to strength, together.
Impact of Book and Initiative, Phase 1, Pilot: ~60,000 family units (2011): parents with cancer, their school-age children; as well as their educators, counselors, and classmates.
3-Minute Documentary:Watch this short video that conveys the essence of this book and project: after reading A Mom of Many Hats, two young sisters planned a hat party for their mom. They were empowered to take pro-active steps during this family crisis, moving from fear to strength. This documentary captures just one of many demographics that the book and its story supported.
Additional information about this book and initiative:
The story was written and developed in ongoing consultations with oncologists, cancer patients, children of cancer patients, oncology nurse navigators and nutritionists, oncology social workers, cancer-related patient advocacy organizations, and other professionals working in the oncology field.
In addition to providing parents/grandparents with the language to discuss cancer at home, many school counselors also received copies. The purpose here was to develop social awareness and compassion within these children’s school communities.
English Edition’s Phase 1 pilot:Over a decade ago, we secured funding from Eisai Pharmaceuticals to launch and distribute the book nationwide for one year only. This successful pilot reached ~60,000 family units, as well as educators, counselors, and classmates.
Primed for Phase 2:After a long hiatus – we were hoping by now that cancer and chemo would be a thing of the past – it’s now time to support families affected by cancer in English-speaking nations with the highest cancer rates: once again in the U.S., as well as Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK. Once funding is secured, this phase is ready to launch. Distribution of this story builds trust and builds community.
Spanish Edition:Cancer is a leading cause of death for Hispanic and Latino people in the United States (CDC) and in the Americas (Pan American Health Organization).
The initial Spanish translation of the book is complete, with a focus group of women from 10 Spanish-speaking countries reading the manuscript and providing valuable feedback (see photo montage below). Once funding is secured, the project is primed to enter Phase 1, supporting Spanish-speaking families facing the cancer diagnosis.
